Cosa Nuestra (Rauw Alejandro album) explained

Cosa Nuestra
Type:studio
Artist:Rauw Alejandro
Cover:Rauw Alejandro - Cosa Nuestra.jpeg
Recorded:2024
Studio:
Genre:
Length:66:59
Language:Spanish
Label:
Prev Title:Playa Saturno
Prev Year:2023

Cosa Nuestra is the fifth studio album by Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro. It was released on November 15, 2024, through Sony Music Latin and Duars Entertainment. Guest appearances in the album include Bad Bunny, Pharrell Williams, Alexis & Fido, Feid, Romeo Santos, Laura Pausini and Latin Mafia, among others. Recording for the album took place at Electric Garden in Brooklyn, 5020 Studio in Miami and Sensei Sound in Carolina, Puerto Rico, with the entire album being executively produced by Alejandro. He worked with several producers, including Tainy, Cauty, Mr. NaisGai and Dímelo Ninow, on the album's production.

Primarily noted as a salsa and reggaeton album, its title is in reference to Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe's 1969 album of the same name, while the album's concept is inspired by the 1970s and New York City. It was supported by four singles, "Touching the Sky", "Déjame Entrar", "Pasaporte", and the Bad Bunny collaboration "Qué Pasaría...".[2] Upon release, the album received positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who praised the diversity of genres throughout the album and the singer's versatility.

Background

On July 4, 2023, while announcing and releasing his fourth studio album Playa Saturno (2023), Alejandro stated that he would "rest" and told his fans to enjoy the album for a while, as he was not sure when he would record another album.[3] On March 7, 2024, he revealed information about his fifth studio album during a video call with CR Fashion Book, where he stated that he would start a new era in his career.[4] He also revealed that the album would still be executively produced by him, but was also learning to play other instruments, including the drums, piano and guitar.

On June 8, 2024, he further revealed to Billboard Español that he was inspired by the musical West Side Story for his live performances and album, later teasing his fifth studio album to Today by considering the songs from it being "too good to be inside the studio".[5] [6] On July 18 of the same year, the album's title was revealed as Cosa Nuestra through the music video for "Déjame Entrar", the album's second single, with its release being around autumn of 2024; the album's title is in reference to salsa musicians Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe's 1969 album of the same name, while also being titled after the Sicilian Mafia, who also go by Cosa Nostra.[7]

Concept and recording

After Alejandro performed a cover of Italian singer Laura Pausini's song "Non c'è" ("Se Fue") at the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 16, 2023, he revealed during an interview that both were working on a studio and duet version of the song together, becoming a collaboration that was highly anticipated among fans.[8] The track listing for Cosa Nuestra was revealed on November 11, 2024, with the song being featured as its thirteenth track.[9]

For the album's concept, Alejandro created a character named after his first and middle name, Raúl Alejandro, which he says gives off a "telenovela vibe". He pictures his character as an adult living in New York City during the era of Puerto Rican migration to New York City.[10] Because he does not like "repeating projects", he visualized the album's direction plans for a long period of time, stating to Billboard, "I sit at home, read a book, smoke a joint with some coffee, look at the sky, and map out what’s coming."[11] Though it is his fifth studio album, Alejandro considers Cosa Nuestra his fourth album "of the circles", referring to his first three studio albums, which have circles on their album artworks.[12]

Music and lyrics

Cosa Nuestra has been described as mainly a salsa and reggaeton album,[13] [14] containing fusions of other genres such as Afrobeats, bolero, country, disco, electronic music, jazz, Latin pop, Latin R&B, Latin trap, merengue, rock and synth-pop within its 18 tracks.[15] [16] Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan noted the album's live instrumentation being heard more than Alejandro's previous albums.

A collaboration with fellow Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, "Qué Pasaría..." is a reggaeton song which features lyrics that mainly focus on two people reflecting on their relationship.[17] [18] The fourth track from Cosa Nuestra, "Tú con Él" is a salsa cover of Frankie Ruiz's song of the same name.[19] Alejandro also sings in English on the album's fifth track, "Committed", a collaboration with American musician Pharrell Williams which also contains Spanish-language lyrics.

Promotion and release

Cosa Nuestra was released for digital download and streaming on November 15, 2024, through Sony Music Latin and Duars Entertainment.[20] On November 19, 2024, Alejandro performed "Qué Pasaría..." and "Amar de Nuevo" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[21]

Singles

"Touching the Sky" was released on May 23, 2024, serving as the lead single from Cosa Nuestra. Its accompanying music video, which was directed by Martin Seipel and produced by Rocío Taboada, features Alejandro dancing in the streets of New York City.[22] [23] It peaked atop the US Latin Pop Airplay chart on the issue dated August 24, 2024,[24] while it also peaked within the top 10 in four Latin American countries, including Chile (10),[25] El Salvador (8),[26] Panama (9),[27] and Puerto Rico (5).[28] On September 23, 2024, it received a platinum Latin certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for track-equivalent sales of over 60,000 units in the United States.[29] Alejandro performed the song at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024.[30]

"Déjame Entrar" was released on July 18, 2024, as the second single from the album, along with its music video, which features a cameo appearance from American actor Adrien Brody.[31] [32] Alejandro also performed it at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.[30]

"Pasaporte" was released on September 26, 2024, as the third single from the album. An accompanying music video was released simultaneously with the song.[33] [34]

"Qué Pasaría..." was released as a single in Italy on November 29, 2024.

Critical reception

In a rave review, Diego Ortiz and Pablo Monroy from Rolling Stone en Español were impressed by Alejandro's versatility, stating that, "The Puerto Rican reaches his creative peak with elegance and precision, positioning himself as an artist who transcends genres and who has the technical, artistic and cultural capabilities to exploit wherever he puts himself".[35]

Commercial performance

In the United States, Cosa Nuestra debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 with 67,000 album-equivalent units, which consisted of 87.66 million official streams and 1,000 digital downloads in the country. It became his biggest album debut and his first top-10 album on the chart.[36] In its second week of the chart, the album fell one place down to number seven, garnering 44,000 additional units.[37] In addition, it debuted atop the US Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums charts, becoming his first number-one album on both charts since his second studio album Vice Versa.[38] All of the album's tracks either debuted or re-entered the US Hot Latin Songs chart, with "Qué Pasaría..." being the highest charting track from it and five tracks charting within the top 10.

In Spain, the album debuted atop the album chart published by Productores de Música de España, while it debuted at number four on its vinyl sales chart. Additionally, 16 of its tracks were charting on its top 100 singles chart, with "Qué Pasaría..." peaking at number one.[39] It also appeared on album charts in three other countries, including Belgium's Flanders and Wallonia regions, Italy, and Switzerland.

Track listing

Note

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Italian Albums (FIMI)[40] 30

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rauw Alejandro lanza su quinto álbum Cosa Nuestra . Rauw Alejandro releases his fifth album Cosa Nuestra . November 15, 2024 . November 21, 2024 . . es .
  2. Web site: Rauw Alejandro & Bad Bunny – Qué Pasaría... (Radio Date: 29-11-2024). EarOne.it. Ylenia. Micaletto. it. November 27, 2024.
  3. Web site: Rauw Alejandro sorprende con el anuncio oficial del inminente estreno de su cuarto álbum: Playa Saturno . Rauw Alejandro surprises with the official announcement of the imminent release of his fourth album: Playa Saturno . Villacañas . Javier . July 4, 2023 . July 5, 2023 . Cadena 100 . es . July 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230705002813/https://www.cadena100.es/musica/noticias/rauw-alejandro-sorprende-con-inminente-estreno-album-playa-saturno-20230704_2795590 . live .
  4. Rauw Alejandro: 'I'm still cooking, developing a new persona—the whole look and feel.' . Herrera . Isabelia . March 7, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . . en-US.
  5. Rauw Alejandro Headlines Governors Ball 2024, Talks New Single & Album . Raygoza . Isabela . June 8, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . . en-US . September 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240903153012/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/rauw-alejandro-govenors-ball-2024-interview-1235704543/ . live .
  6. Web site: Rauw Alejandro Teases New Album and TODAY Show Concert 'Surprise' . Calvario . Liz . July 9, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . . en-US.
  7. Web site: Rauw Alejandro's New Album 'Cosa Nuestra': Tour, Collaborations, Release Date... . September 4, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . . en-US . November 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241113074424/https://los40.us/2024/rauw-alejandros-new-album-cosa-nuestra-tour-collaborations-release-date-24223.html . live .
  8. Web site: Rauw Alejandro confirma que ha grabado 'Se fue' junto a Laura Pausini: 'La canción está hecha, espérenla pronto' . Rauw Alejandro confirms that he has recorded 'Se fue' with Laura Pausini: 'The song is done, wait for it soon' . Moral . Selene . January 3, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . Los 40 . es.
  9. Web site: Rauw Alejandro desvela el tracklist de Cosa Nuestra, el nuevo álbum que incluye su versión de 'Se Fue' . Rauw Alejandro reveals the tracklist for Cosa Nuestra, the new album which includes his version of 'Se Fue' . Romero . Andrea . November 11, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . Los 40 . es.
  10. Web site: The Deeply Personal Story Behind Rauw Alejandro's Next Album Cosa Nuestra . August 27, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . Los 40 . en-US . November 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241111193841/https://los40.us/2024/the-deeply-personal-story-behind-rauw-alejandros-next-album-cosa-nuestra-23996.html . live .
  11. Rauw Alejandro On Cosa Nuestra and His New Character for the Album . Cobo . Leila . Leila Cobo . August 26, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  12. News: Rauw Alejandro reveló la lista de canciones de Cosa nuestra, su nuevo disco . Rauw Alejandro reveals the list of tracks from Cosa Nuestra, his new album which includes his version of 'Se Fue' . Brizuela . Ariany . November 11, 2024 . November 13, 2024 . . es . November 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112210313/https://laopinion.com/2024/11/11/https-laopinion-com-2024-11-11-rauw-alejandro-revelo-la-lista-de-canciones-de-cosa-nuestra-su-nuevo-disco/ . live .
  13. Album Reviews: Maxo Kream, Pa Salieu, Full of Hell & Andrew Nolan, more . Sacher . Andrew . November 15, 2024 . November 18, 2024 . . en-US.
  14. News: Rauw Alejandro explora sus raíces . Rauw Alejandro explores his roots . Sánchez . Jorge . November 14, 2024 . November 15, 2024 . . es-MX.
  15. News: Rauw Alejandro y el rompecabezas musical de Cosa Nuestra . Rauw Alejandro and the musical puzzle of Cosa Nuestra . Echevarría . Mariam . November 14, 2024 . November 15, 2024 . . es.
  16. Rauw Alejandro: Seducido por el arte . Rauw Alejandro: Seduced by art . Ortíz . Diego . November 15, 2024 . November 15, 2024 . . es . November 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241115173334/https://es.rollingstone.com/rauw-alejandro-seducido-por-el-arte/ . live .
  17. Rauw Alejandro Album Features Bad Bunny & Pharrell Williams . Villa . Lucas . November 15, 2024 . November 26, 2024 . Remezcla . en-US.
  18. Web site: 'Qué Pasaría': The Meaning Behind Rauw Alejandro's Song Presented on The Tonight Show by Jimmy Fallon . November 20, 2024 . November 21, 2024 . Los 40 . en-US .
  19. Rauw Alejandro's Cosa Nuestra Album: Stream It Now . Roiz . Jessica . November 15, 2024 . November 18, 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  20. Web site: Cosa Nuestra - Album by Rauw Alejandro . November 15, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . Apple Music (US) . en-US.
  21. Adrian Brody Joins Rauw Alejandro in His Video for 'Déjame Entrar' . Zemler . Emily . November 20, 2024 . November 20, 2024 . Rolling Stone . en-US .
  22. Rauw Alejandro Drops 'Touching the Sky': Watch . Mier . Tomás . May 23, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . . en-US . November 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241111191622/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/rauw-alejandro-drops-touching-the-sky-single-1235026638/ . live .
  23. WATCH: Rauw Alejandro Goes Full-on Broadway in 'Touching The Sky' Music Video . Hernandez . Jeanette . May 24, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . . en-US . September 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240901131604/https://remezcla.com/music/watch-rauw-alejandro-goes-full-on-broadway-in-touching-the-sky-music-video/ . live .
  24. Rauw Alejandro's 'Touching the Sky' Is No. 1 on Latin Pop Airplay Chart . Bustios . Pamela . August 20, 2024 . November 13, 2024 . Billboard . en-US . November 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112221825/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/rauw-alejandro-touching-the-sky-number-1-latin-pop-airplay-chart-1235756714/ . live .
  25. Web site: Top 20 Chile: General – Del 17 al 23 de Junio, 2024. Top 20 Chile: General – From 17 to 23 June, 2024. November 18, 2024. Monitor Latino. es.
  26. Web site: Top 20 El Salvador: General – Del 27 de Mayo al 2 de Junio, 2024. Top 20 El Salvador: General – From 27 May to 2 June, 2024. November 18, 2024. Monitor Latino. es.
  27. Web site: Top 20 Panama: General – Del 24 al 30 de Junio, 2024. Top 20 Panama: General – From 24 to 30 June, 2024. November 18, 2024. Monitor Latino. es.
  28. Web site: Top 20 Puerto Rico: General – Del 1 al 7 de Julio, 2024. Top 20 Puerto Rico: General – From 1 to 7 July, 2024. November 18, 2024. Monitor Latino. es.
  29. Web site: American single certifications – Touching the Sky . . November 20, 2024 . en-US.
  30. Rauw Alejandro Brings Puerto Rico Bomba & Plena To MTV VMAs . Villa . Lucas . September 11, 2024 . November 13, 2024 . Remezcla . en-US.
  31. Adrian Brody Joins Rauw Alejandro in His Video for 'Déjame Entrar' . Madarang . Charisma . September 26, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . Rolling Stone . en-US . November 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241111191621/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/adrian-brody-rauw-alejandro-dejame-entrar-music-video-1235063821/ . live .
  32. Web site: Watch Rauw Alejandro Perform New Song 'Déjame Entrar' on TODAY . Calvario . Liz . July 12, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . Today . en-US.
  33. Rauw Alejandro Announces New Album Cosa Nuestra, Drops New Single . Zemler . Emily . July 19, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . Rolling Stone . en-US . November 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241111184729/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rauw-alejandro-cosa-nuestra-new-song-pasaporte-1235113911/ . live .
  34. Web site: Rauw Alejandro Announces New Album Cosa Nuestra, Shares Video for New Song 'Pasaporte': Watch . Strauss . Matthew . September 27, 2024 . November 11, 2024 . . en-US.
  35. Cosa Nuestra de Rauw Alejandro: un excelente homenaje a sus raíces . Rauw Alejandro's Cosa Nuestra: An Excellent Tribute to His Roots . Ortiz . Diego . Monroy . Pablo . November 13, 2024 . November 13, 2024 . Rolling Stone en Español . es . November 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241114005623/https://es.rollingstone.com/cosa-nuestra-de-rauw-alejandro-un-excelente-homenaje-a-sus-raices/ . live .
  36. ATEEZ Achieve Second No. 1 on Billboard 200 With Golden Hour: Part.2. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. November 24, 2024. November 25, 2024.
  37. Kendrick Lamar's GNX Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart. Billboard. Caulfield. Keith. December 1, 2024. December 3, 2024.
  38. A Best for Rauw Alejandro: Cosa Nuestra Debuts at No. 1. Bustios. Pamela. November 25, 2024. November 25, 2024. Billboard.
  39. Web site: Rauw Alejandro, top 1 de Singles y Discos en España. Rauw Alejandro, number 1 on singles and albums charts in Spain. E. Alonso. Sebas. November 25, 2024. November 25, 2024. Jenesaispop].
  40. Web site: Album – Classifica settimanale WK 47 (dal 15.11.2024 al 21.11.2024). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. November 23, 2024.

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